Codger_64
Moderator
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2004
- Messages
- 62,322
We can always start our own club. I'm not sure how it would work without Camillus being a part of it, or even if anyone would be interested. But it might work.
I believe the short life of the Camillus Collector's Club speaks volumes about collector interest in the brand. Why did it fail? Every business promotion is based upon economic realities. They produced, from what I read here, two newsletters and one club knife. But how many members were involved, i.e. revenue base? I could see them continuing the club if it were merely self-supporting, but what if it turned out to be a money pit for an already cash strapped company? I've always been pleased with the quality of the Camillus knives I've owned and handled, but the vast majority of their production has been hidden behind SFO stamps, and Camillus has been historically slow to do self promotions, prefering to sell larger orders to others who take the credit for their products.
Secondly, every collector's guide I have read lists Camillus knives as being low in collectability. The mainstream of collectors have for many years ignored the brand (and their sub-brands). Even now, when their production goals are shifting after this year's bad publicity and likely record losses, the posts I have made here regarding what I consider to be very collectable, well made knives draw very few responses and examples from others, with a few exceptions of course. I'm sure that a part of this is due to the modern collector's fixation on investment/monetary value of their knives. Only a relatively few Codgers such as myself concentrate on the historical aspects of Camillus design and manufacture.
Lastly, the "club wagon" will sit idle in the yard until a lead horse comes along willing to harness up and pull it himself. Are you offering to pony up?
Codger![]()
And so, we,ve taken this topic to a thread off this sticky. I hate cluttering old stickys with new posts of current interests. That sticky itself is of historical interest only, and belongs in the archive, IMHO.My problem is, I would have no idea, where or how to start.
I guess a production knife could be found, blade etched for a club knife. A patch could be made, maybe a bumper sticker, but a newsletter .... what news? I have emailed Camillus a couple of times for background on a series, such as production numbers, dates, pictures or other articles, but no replies.
And news about the Camillus company is even more scarce.
Until they are willing to give some imput on themselves and their product, I see no hope for a club.
And Codger, I know what you mean by your remarks. Most people are interested in a certain knife, or type of knife, and have no further interest.
I can find very little history on the Company, due to the fact I am a "newcomer" to collecting and all of the articles and historical items, are long gone.
My focus is trying to find all model numbers of the different series, with pictures and dates, but that has hit a brick wall. I know Camillus has this info, but it seems no one there is interested in taking time to look it up for a nobody like me.
Without Camillus being a part of the club, it is finished.
PS scuse any spelling errors
Codger